Chapter 119: On Abductor Mountain

This story is entirely fictional.

Wang Yifa took a sip of beer. "Who do you think you are? You think this will cause a national sensation? Tomorrow's newspapers will be flooded with a scandal: a teacher from Hexi Vocational College and his student committing suicide together. And what’s this about homosexuality? It’s not like that between us, anyway. Forget it; it doesn’t matter what it is. All people in this world share one flaw: they are forgetful. In less than a year, no one will remember that you and I committed suicide together."

When Fan Wei arrived at the summit of Guai-zi Mountain, Zhang Chi and Wang Yifa had already finished off two cases of beer; empty cans were scattered all around them.

Seeing Fan Wei reach the peak, the two men turned back, slightly intoxicated. "You finally made it. We’ve been waiting for ages. Here, have a can." Zhang Chi handed one to Fan Wei.

Fan Wei took the beer and pulled the tab. The pressure inside the can was high, releasing a sharp, hissing sound.

He took a gulp, momentarily quenching his thirst. "What happened?"

"What happened? Don't you know?" Zhang Chi asked.

"Does it have to do with the Dahe football team?" The worry Fan Wei had been dreading had finally arrived.

"How big is the matter? Tell me, let me hear it," Fan Wei pressed.

"I'm afraid it will scare you to death if I tell you," Zhang Chi said, emboldening himself.

"Didn't I already find a way to pay off the money for you? You promised me you wouldn't gamble again, but you just wouldn't listen. Now look, we’re both in trouble. I don't see how you’re going to resolve this," Fan Wei said, feeling helpless.

After Chi Zhaoming lost his money, he realized he had committed an unforgivable error. He called Wu Zhengzhe, and the two met at a small restaurant.

Seeing that Chi Zhaoming looked ashen, Wu asked, "What happened?"

Chi Zhaoming shook his head in silence, simply pouring more beer into his stomach.

"Is it because of your father's health? No one wanted things to end up this way; you need to look on the bright side," Wu Zhengzhe comforted him.

In a short while, they had polished off a dozen cans, but Chi Zhaoming, unable to hold his liquor, slumped over onto the table.

Back on Guai-zi Mountain, the three were still drinking.

"I did promise you I wouldn't gamble, but when your head coach spent the night at your aunt's house, he told her that this was his last match managing Dahe. He said once the game was over, he’d likely have to step down because the club had ordered him to adjust the starting lineup to ensure Dahe would lose." Zhang Chi recounted the conversation he had overheard at Fan Wei's aunt's house that night.

"Is that your excuse for betting on the periphery? And what about the promise you made to me?" Fan Wei asked.

"A while back, my teacher and I lost everything, down to our very last cent. The teacher had lost all his savings and was still in deep debt. The thirty thousand I borrowed from you was also thrown into the void. We weren't willing to give up; we wanted to win it back when the time was right. When we heard your coach say Dahe wasn't going to win, think about our situation—there was no reason not to bet. If it were you, I’m sure you would have taken the gamble too. What a perfect opportunity, right? We almost pulled it off, but at the very end, you—you jinx—stepped onto the field and ruined everything. We’re left with a mountain of debt. All the bets, the live wagering, the over-unders, the odd-evens—nearly a hundred thousand—all wiped out by you. You’re a total jinx."

Hearing this, Fan Wei felt deeply pained. He was already suffering from his own wounds, yet he still had to care about his childhood friend’s feelings. He had tried to be a good person, only to end up the villain. "I’m a jinx? I’m just a jinx? Why did you call me here? To make me listen to this nonsense? I’m a victim too! I knew nothing, yet I’ve been saddled with this blame for no reason. When I went onto the pitch, the coach didn't give me any special instructions. How was I supposed to know they were throwing the game? All I knew was that since Hao Benshan took over at Dahe, they hadn't won a single match. I’d heard rumors about the first two games, but I didn't believe them. Now I do. In this football circle—no, it's not a circle, it's a giant vat of dye. Calling it a circle is an insult to the word. Now I know that no matter how good a seedling is, it will change color once soaked in this vat."

As he spoke, Fan Wei began to wail. "You need money, we could have thought of a way together. As the saying goes, a gentleman loves wealth, but he acquires it through proper means. You kept thinking of getting rich overnight—how is that possible? In this world, there is no such thing as a free lunch. You call me a jinx, but you pin all your hatred on others instead of looking at your own flaws. This is incredibly unfair to me."

"Don't say anymore. We called you here to tell you one thing: we’re sorry. There’s no place for us in this world. My teacher and I are going to find peace! Consider the thirty thousand I owe you as payment for my funeral," Zhang Chi said, as if bidding farewell.

"No! You don't have the right to die. My situation is far worse than yours. I’m not saying I want to die, so don't you dare talk to me about it. I’ll find a way to deal with the money. My aunt has some savings. If anything happens to me, you need to take good care of her. I don't know what will happen to me, and I certainly don't know if I have a future. Regardless, the word 'football' will never be part of my future again. I might have to hide away in some deep mountain forest, or else I’ll be in mortal danger. I’ll call my aunt in a moment. Tell me exactly how much you lost." Fan Wei was making his own departure arrangements.

"My teacher and I lost a flat one hundred thousand today. Plus the sixty thousand I already owed the bookie, that makes exactly one hundred and sixty thousand," Zhang Chi answered slowly.

"I’m leaving for a while; please, take care of my aunt. Teacher, don't ever play the periphery with Zhang Chi again. You need to guide him, help him grow into a man, not lead him into thinking he can get rich overnight. As long as you keep gambling, you have no future. Take my word for it: the periphery is not something you should ever be involved in." With that, Fan Wei called his aunt.

At Fan’s aunt's house, the head coach sat on the edge of the bed, smoking incessantly.

Hearing the phone ring, Fan’s aunt answered. Fan Wei’s voice came through: "Aunt, perhaps you already know the story. The head coach is with you, right? He told me he needs to lay low for a while. The situation is that my friend Zhang Chi is also involved in today's match. He and his teacher played the periphery and lost one hundred and sixty thousand. My salary card is with you; there isn't enough in it, so please add whatever is needed to help my friend. Zhang Chi might come by later, please give him the card and the password. You must do exactly as I say. Zhang Chi is still so young; he deserves a future. Please, Aunt!" He hung up.

Fan’s aunt took every word to heart, nodding repeatedly. Since it was on speakerphone, the head coach had listened carefully as well.

After she hung up, she sighed continuously. "My poor boy. His own fate is in such a state, yet he's still trying to save his childhood friend."

"It’s alright. I have two cards. Due to the nature of my income, neither is in my name—they belong to my younger brother, Nian Wei. There isn't much on this one, but without an ID, the amount is just a bit more than what Fan Wei mentioned. Take it to help Zhang Chi. Your money is hard-earned; use mine instead."

"But that won't do! If you give all your money away, what will you do if you have an emergency? Besides, you've lost your job; you need money to live for the rest of your life," she worried.

"My other card has enough for us to live on for the rest of our lives. My only concern now is that I’ve learned Hao Benshan has handed Nian Liang over to the procuratorate for investigation. His future is likely ruined."

Nian Wei said this while pulling out the bank card. "The password is the last six digits of the card number."

Fan’s aunt put the bank card away and asked, "The last six digits of the card number, right?"

"Yes. I’m preparing to leave immediately. The club’s top brass must have been taken to the procuratorate by now. I’ve heard they are looking for me. It’s not safe here for you either; please, take care of yourself. I will come to see you as soon as it is convenient." With that, the head coach got dressed and prepared to leave.

After he left, Fan’s aunt sat on the bed, dazed.

Hearing a knock at the door downstairs, she knew it was Fan Wei's friend.

"There is two hundred thousand on this card. Take care of the matter. Fan Wei asked me to tell you: don't play the periphery ever again. Be a good person. The password is the last six digits of the card number."

Zhang Chi took the card. "Thank you so much, Aunt Fan. I will remember what you said. I’ll turn over a new leaf and be a good person."

As Zhang Chi turned to leave, he saw the trash can by the bed was overflowing. "Let me take the trash out for you."

"Thank you. Remember, be a good person!" she urged him again.

Zhang Chi looked at the bank card, then carefully placed it into a zippered pocket.

Waiting outside, Wang Yifa saw Zhang Chi come out and asked, "Well? Is the money matter settled?"

"It’s settled. I’m still buried in debt; I don't know how I’ll ever clean up this mess," Zhang Chi said as they walked away.

"But I don't care. Teacher, you have an income. I’m just a student with no source of funds. This debt should primarily be your responsibility to pay off," Zhang Chi said.

(To be continued)